Placeholder Content Image

Tom Cruise’s unconventional acceptance speech

<p dir="ltr">Tom Cruise has given one of the most unique acceptance speeches at the 2023 MTV Movie &amp; TV Awards.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 60-year-old, who famously performs his own stunts and is a licensed pilot himself, delivered a pre-recorded speech on May 7 while flying a World War II propeller plane.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cruise won best performance in a movie for <em>Top Gun: Maverick</em>.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Things we'll never forget: <a href="https://twitter.com/TomCruise?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TomCruise</a>'s performance in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TopGun?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TopGun</a>: Maverick 🎥</p> <p>Congrats to Tom Cruise on winning Best Performance in a Movie at the 2023 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MTVAwards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MTVAwards</a>! <a href="https://t.co/dZr3Wglpdq">pic.twitter.com/dZr3Wglpdq</a></p> <p>— Movie &amp; TV Awards (@MTVAwards) <a href="https://twitter.com/MTVAwards/status/1655367059994456065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr"> “Hi everyone, thank you so much for this award,” he said from the cockpit. “I make these films for you. I love you. I love entertaining you. To know how much you enjoy it, how much you appreciate it, there’s just no better feeling.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In his acceptance speech, Cruise appears to be piloting the P-51 Mustang plane that he owns, which was featured in Top Gun: Maverick.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You have a wonderful summer," Cruise said in his speech. "Thank you again for letting me entertain you. It’s an absolute privilege. We’ll see you at the movies.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Cruise also recorded a similar message from the same plane that was played for King Charles II during the coronation concert on May 8. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Pilot to pilot," Cruise said. "Your Majesty, you can be my wingman any time.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Twitter</em></p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

Rebel Wilson reveals her girlfriend's family aren't "accepting" of their relationship

<p>Rebel Wilson has shared that her girlfriend's family has not been "accepting" of their relationship.</p> <p>In a candid interview with the <em>Life Uncut</em> podcast, the Aussie actress admitted that Ramona Agruma's family have had a difficult time coming to terms with their almost year-long relationship. </p> <p>"My family has been so amazing. Ramona's family hasn't been as accepting. In many respects it's been a lot harder on her," Rebel told hosts Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne.</p> <p>"With her, she's not in the public eye, it's much harder on her. It's so sad to see what happened with her family over it. Hopefully, people will change their attitude about things."</p> <p>Rebel shocked her fans in June 2022 with the news of her relationship with Ramona, announcing her happy news on Instagram saying, "I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince… but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CelyiLZLHa2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CelyiLZLHa2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Rebel Wilson (@rebelwilson)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Elsewhere in the tell-all interview, the 42-year-old actress opened up about her difficult journey to motherhood and the lengths she went to have a family, resulting in the birth of her daughter, Royce.</p> <p>"I really didn't think pieces were going to fall in line," she said. </p> <p>"I tried with one surrogate to have a baby and sadly the embryo miscarried. Luckily I didn't make it public and then had to say it didn't work out."</p> <p>Despite the devastating setback, Rebel persevered with her dreams of having a family. </p> <p>"Then to have a second embryo, to have it implanted and go well. It was amazing," she recalled. "I really do think it's a bit of a miracle. I've been through quite a bit on the fertility journey, and now I've got an instant family."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkqsdK1pzN2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CkqsdK1pzN2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Rebel Wilson (@rebelwilson)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"It's so surreal and so awesome. Little Roycie is so amazing. She's such an angel and I can't wait to bring her to Australia."</p> <p>While Rebel is completely smitten with her three-month-old daughter, she admitted she felt "disconnected" from her child given she did not carry Royce. </p> <p>"It's so hard. You're a little disconnected having the surrogacy and not going through the pregnancy, but that was my best option medically, only having the one embryo," she said. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram </em></p>

Relationships

Placeholder Content Image

Harry Styles' Grammy award acceptance speech causes backlash

<p dir="ltr">Harry Styles has come under fire for an off-handed comment he made during his Grammy Awards acceptance speech. </p> <p dir="ltr">The former One Direction member won the biggest award of the night, taking home the trophy for Album of the Year for his 2022 masterpiece <em>Harry’s House</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 29-year-old took to the stage with his musical collaborators to accept the award, giving a speech of thanks to those who have inspired him along his musical journey. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, a fleeting comment he made has caused outrage, telling the audience, “This doesn’t happen to people like me very often.” </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Harry Styles accepts the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Grammy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Grammy</a> for Album of the Year. <a href="https://t.co/yom28xGdvk">https://t.co/yom28xGdvk</a> <a href="https://t.co/0037FGJ52C">pic.twitter.com/0037FGJ52C</a></p> <p>— Variety (@Variety) <a href="https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1622456380522385408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The statement raised eyebrows, with many encouraging Harry to check his privilege. </p> <p dir="ltr">Much of the criticism came from people who believed Beyoncé should’ve won the award, saying Harry’s comment was coming from a place of white privilege. </p> <p dir="ltr">Only three black women have won Album of the Year in the Grammys’ 65-year history, and it’s been 24 years since a black woman took home the prized award, when Lauryn Hill won for <em>The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill</em> in 1999. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Harry styles said “this doesn’t happen to people like me very often” and I gotta be honest I can’t think of a type of people this happens for more</p> <p>— hey man nice tweet (@jazz_inmypants) <a href="https://twitter.com/jazz_inmypants/status/1622458638878101505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">“this doesn’t happen to people like me very often” IT LITERALLY ONLY HAPPENS TO PEOPLE LIKE YOU????</p> <p>— َ (@ungodlywests) <a href="https://twitter.com/ungodlywests/status/1622455999511552005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">“this doesn’t happen to people like me often” who, white british men? 😭</p> <p>— no (@zedonarrival) <a href="https://twitter.com/zedonarrival/status/1622456047775408129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Despite the backlash, <em>Harry’s House</em> was the second <a href="https://toofab.com/2022/12/31/top-5-most-streamed-albums-of-2022/#:~:text=Bad%20Bunny%20sat%20at%20the,third%20year%20in%20a%20row.">most streamed</a> album of 2022, while Beyoncé’s <em>Renaissance </em>album didn’t even crack the top five. </p> <p dir="ltr">While other fans continued their tirade about his speech, die-hard Harry Styles fans rushed to his defence, with one person writing on Twitter, “Harry Styles gave THIS humble speech and people are hating on him because their fave didn’t win?? He deserved this Grammy more than anything so respectfully, get over yourselves.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another fan said, “It's not cool to hate on Harry Styles just because he won the Grammy you wanted someone else to win, so ZZZZZZ for that honestly. He had one of the biggest albums and singles of the year, the math IS ACTUALLY MATHING.”</p> <p dir="ltr">One person, who is seemingly well-versed in the world of online fan culture, summed up the discourse perfectly, saying, “Harry could give the nicest speech in the world, &amp; be a genuine a** person and you got twitter warriors picking apart everything he says to make it negative. Y’all are actually miserable.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

Placeholder Content Image

3 times you should never “accept cookies” on a site

<p><strong>To cookie or not to cookie?</strong></p> <p>Cookie-consent pop-ups are one of the biggest annoyances on the Internet. Almost every site you visit has a notice saying, “This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Do you agree?” or something similar. Typically, we click “yes” or “agree” without even thinking about it because we’re eager to get to the content. But should we? Not necessarily.</p> <p><strong>What are cookies, exactly?</strong></p> <p>Before we delve into the dos and don’ts of cookie consent, here’s a little refresher on this Web tool: Cookies are essentially information collectors and trackers in the form of small text files stored on your browser by the sites you visit. Some are useful. For example, a cookie saved on your browser makes it so you don’t have to re-enter your log-in information every time you visit one of your favourite websites. Cookies can also remember your shopping preferences so that you get a personalised experience when you visit the website. Others, however, track how you use a website, how often you go there, your IP address, your phone number, what types of things you look at and buy, and other information you may not want to share.</p> <p><strong>Do you have to accept cookies?</strong></p> <p>Many companies have you click “yes” so that they’re compliant with current privacy laws. This means that once you click, you’ve given the company permission to use your information as they see fit without the worry of legal backlash. Most of the time, cookies are no big deal. There are a few occasions, though, where you should decline cookies. Don’t worry – if you find yourself in a situation where you need to decline or simply want to decline for whatever reason, most websites will work just fine without collecting your information. With that said, here’s when saying no to the cookies is a good idea.</p> <p><strong>Sketchy sites</strong></p> <p>Beware when you’re on an unencrypted website (these websites will have an unlocked lock icon by the web address) while using a public Wi-Fi network. The information collected by cookies can be intercepted by hackers because there isn’t any security to stop them. Your best bet when borrowing Wi-Fi from your local coffee shop or fast-food joint is to use your browser’s private or incognito mode. While in this mode, cookies aren’t collected by default (though you can manually turn off cookie blocking on some browsers), no matter where your Internet journeys take you.</p> <p><strong>Third-party cookies</strong></p> <p>If the cookie-consent pop-up mentions third-party cookies, click “decline.” Accepting gives the website the right to sell your browsing behaviour to a data broker. The broker then combines your behaviour on one website with information from other websites and builds an extremely detailed profile of you as a consumer. “The broker then sells that profile to other third parties who want to market to people like you,” says Harry Maugans, CEO of Privacy Bee, a proactive privacy management tool for consumers. “As you can imagine, this chain extends infinitely. Once you lose control of your personal data, it gets packaged and repackaged in all kinds of ways. It’s scary but true.”</p> <p>According to Maugans, some third-party cookies are even nefarious. You could become a victim of “cookie stealing” or “session hijacking.” This is when a hacker gains access to a browser and mimics users to be able to steal cookies from that browser. This can put you at risk of identity theft if hackers manage to steal cookies that store your personal information or credit card information.</p> <p>If you’re worried that you might accidentally accept third-party cookies, there’s an easy way to make things fool-proof. Go into your browser and choose to allow only required cookies or “first party” cookies. These cookies are the helpful ones mentioned earlier and are usually only used by the website you’re visiting.</p> <p><strong>When you’re using private information</strong></p> <p>If you don’t feel comfortable sharing the information you’re using or accessing on a website with a stranger, don’t use cookies on that site. According to Jeremy Tillman, president of the privacy company Ghostery, you should avoid cookies on sites where you do your banking, access your medical information, or use other private information.</p> <p>If you’re afraid that you’ve already accepted cookies on websites where you wouldn’t want your information gathered, go into your browser and use the “clear cookies” option. This will prevent sites from collecting your information in the future, as long as you decline the next time a site asks you to accept its cookies.</p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-ab23c7bc-7fff-94d0-086f-61fdae71f0de">Written by Alina Bradford. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/science-technology/3-times-you-should-never-accept-cookies-on-a-site" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></span></em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Technology

Placeholder Content Image

Prince Charles denies wrongdoing for reportedly accepting bags of cash

<p dir="ltr">Prince Charles reportedly accepted a suitcase containing €1 million ($NZD 1.67 million) in cash from a Qatari sheikh in 2015, according to recent reports - and it is one of three payments that will be reviewed by the UK’s Charity Commission.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to <em>The Sunday Times</em>, the senior royal received a total of €3 million ($NZD 5.02 million) from Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the former prime minister of Qatar, between 2011 and 2015.</p> <p dir="ltr">Clarence House has denied that there was any wrongdoing in Charles’ acceptance of the money as charity donations and said the money was “passed immediately to one of the prince’s charities who carried out the appropriate covenants and assured us that all the correct processes were followed”.</p> <p dir="ltr">On one occasion, Charles reportedly received €1 million in carrier bags from high-end grocer Fortnum &amp; Mason.</p> <p dir="ltr">At another, in 2015, Charles accepted another €1 million in a holdall during a one-on-one meeting at Clarence House.</p> <p dir="ltr">Two advisors from the royal household reportedly counted the cash by hand, which was said to be made up of now-discontinued €500 notes, which earned the nickname “bin Laden” because of links to funding terrorism, per <em><a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/royals/prince-charles-denies-any-wrongdoing-over-bags-of-cash-claim/0face1c8-1ebb-4139-a91c-9c9aa0dee13c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9Honey</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The money was understood to have been collected by private bank Coutts, with each payment being deposited into the accounts of the Prince of Wales’ Charitable Fund (PWCF).</p> <p dir="ltr">As the prince’s meetings with Hamad were private, they don’t appear in the Court Circular - the official record of court engagements - but they do raise questions about how much Charles knew about the cash and where it came from.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sir Ian Cheshire, the chairman of PWCF, said on Friday that “there was no failure of governance” in relation to the organisation receiving the funds.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At a few hours’ notice from <em>The Sunday Times</em>, we have checked into this event in the past, and confirm that the previous trustees of PWCF discussed the governance and donor relationship, (confirming that the donor was a legitimate and verified counterparty) and our auditors signed off on the donation after a specific enquiry during the audit. There was no failure of governance.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After confirming that he was referring to the 2015 payment, Sir Cheshire added: “I believe the same assurance applied to earlier donations and look forward to confirming that in due course.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Though there is no suggestion that the payments were illegal, a Charity Commission spokesperson said on Sunday that they will be reviewed by the Commission.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are aware of reports about donations received by the Prince of Wales’ Charitable Foundation,” they said in a statement.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We will review the information to determine whether there is any role for the Commission in this matter.”</p> <p dir="ltr">It comes as London police continue to investigate a separate allegation that the prince’s top aide, Michael Fawcett, offered to help a Saudi billionaire secure a knighthood and British citizenship if he donated to The Prince’s Foundation, another of Charles’ charities.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fawcett resigned from his role as chief executive of the foundation in light of the allegations.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are disappointed not to have been given more time to look into this matter, which dates from a decade ago,” Clarence House said in relation to reports from <em>The Sunday Times</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In the few hours we have had on a Saturday, we have confirmed that Charitable donations were received from sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, and these were passed immediately to one of the prince’s charities who carried out the appropriate governance and have assured us that all the correct processes were followed.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-fbd766d6-7fff-90d8-45ca-261fe924c187"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @clarencehouse (Instagram)</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Proud Mary accepts new honour

<p dir="ltr">The hospital in which Princess Mary gave birth to her four kids will be renamed after her.</p> <p dir="ltr">Princess Mary gave birth to Prince Christian, Princess Isabella and twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine at Rigshospitalet, Denmark's biggest hospital.</p> <p dir="ltr">A new building is set to open in 2026 and the entire hospital will be renamed in her honour to: Mary Elizabeth’s Hospital – The Kingdom for children, young people and pregnant women.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Monday, she attended the ceremony and laid a foundation stone at the hospital.</p> <p dir="ltr">“All parents know how difficult it can be when one’s child is ill. Especially if the child is so ill that it needs to be treated in a hospital,” the princess previously said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When children and young people are ill, everyday life and the feeling of security become more important than ever.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Rigshospitalet’s future hospital for children, young people, pregnant women and their families, which will open its doors in four years, will therefore be a place that takes new paths to create space for patients ‘and families’ lives and needs – a place that must be safe and I am moved and proud that the hospital will bear my name.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The new building will have 179 single rooms, 87 other patient rooms and 13 operating rooms on eight floors and can accommodate 900 patients at a time.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Beauty & Style

Placeholder Content Image

The immigration numbers bidding war is pointless – there are limits to how many migrants Australia can accept

<p>Since late last year, various business lobby groups, the <a href="https://www.afr.com/politics/australia-needs-explosive-surge-of-2-million-migrants-20211011-p58z0n" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NSW government</a>, management consultant <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/skilled-migrant-cap-stifles-economy-kpmg-analysis/news-story/dbeec35037ef1b117114bb8e6bdad394" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KPMG</a>, the <a href="https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/migration-boost-critical-to-recovery-business-council-20220217-p59xfc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Business Council</a> and now a number of <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-we-open-up-lets-open-up-big-top-economists-say-we-need-more-migrants-177359" target="_blank" rel="noopener">economists</a> have been throwing numbers around, talking up the need for higher levels of immigration.</p> <p>I have written previously on the <a href="https://johnmenadue.com/australias-facile-immigration-policy-debate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">facile nature</a> of the immigration debate in Australia, on the part of both the groups calling for “immigration to be cut wherever possible” and the groups calling for a bigger Australia.</p> <p>The problem is the debate focuses on targets and numbers for permanent migration, often confusing this permanent migration program with what matters for population which is net migration. At the same time, too little attention is paid to how migration targets would be delivered, the risks involved, and how the risks would be managed.</p> <p>So let’s start with basics.</p> <h2>What matters is net migration</h2> <p>The <a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/migration-program-planning-levels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official migration program</a> reflects the number of permanent resident visas issued in any one year, irrespective of whether the person is already in Australia (perhaps for a long time on a different sort of visa) or has been living overseas.</p> <p>Over the past 15 years, more than half of these permanent resident visas have been issued to people who have already been living long-term in Australia.</p> <p><a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/migration-australia/latest-release" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Net migration</a> as calculated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics is a measure of long-term and permanent arrivals, including new people issued these visas, less departures of people who have been living long-term in Australia and intend to remain overseas for 12 out of the next 16 months.</p> <p>It is blind to visa status or citizenship.</p> <p>Net migration can fall sharply even when the migration program is large, as happened in <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/migration-australia/latest-release" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2014-15</a> when we had one of the largest permanent migration programs in Australia’s history, yet net migration fell to 180,000.</p> <p>A sharp fall in net migration is usually associated with a weak labour market leading to large outflows of Australians, or Australians deciding not to return, as happened in 1975-76, 1982-83, 1991-92 and 2008-09.</p> <p>On the other hand, even when the migration program is being cut, net migration can be forecast to rise. This is what happened in the 2019 budget, when Treasury forecast the <a href="https://archive.budget.gov.au/2019-20/bp1/download/bp1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highest</a> sustained level of net migration in our history, after a year in which the migration program was <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/plan-australias-future-population" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cut</a> from 190,000 to 160,000 per year.</p> <h2>How many migrants, and which ones?</h2> <p>Before discussing the various immigration targets that have recently been proposed, it’s useful to understand the government’s current forecasts and how it intends to deliver them – something surprisingly few do.</p> <p>The 2021-22 program has been set at <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/plan-australias-future-population" target="_blank" rel="noopener">160,000</a> per year. But Treasury’s 2021 Population Statement assumed to increase to <a href="https://population.gov.au/publications/statements/2021-population-statement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">190,000</a> per year from 2023-24.</p> <p>There is no official government commitment to this increase to 190,000 – and there probably won’t be ahead of the election. There has also been no indication of the composition of this larger program, or what might be needed to deliver it.</p> <p>Planning documents say the 2021-22 migration program will be <a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/migration-program-planning-levels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">split evenly</a> between the family stream and the skill stream. This is because the government is at last clearing the very large <a href="https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/home-affairs-and-the-great-partner-visa-cover-up,14574" target="_blank" rel="noopener">backlog</a> of partner applications it (unlawfully in my view) allowed to build up.</p> <p>If the planned 72,000 partner visas in 2021-22 are delivered, the government might only need to allocate around 50,000 places for partners in future years because it will have cleared much of the backlog it has allowed to build up, which will result in a future overall family stream of around 60,000.</p> <p>This means that to deliver its total program of 160,000 from 2022-23, the government will need an extra 22,000 skilled migrants, and from 2023-24 when the total program increases to 190,000, an extra 52,000 skilled migrants.</p> <p>The current skill stream planning level of 79,600 has four main components.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/employing-and-sponsoring-someone/sponsoring-workers/learn-about-sponsoring" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Employer-sponsored migration</a>: 23,503</li> </ul> <p>There is scope to boost the number of these visas by processing them faster. However, even with a very strong labour market, it is highly unlikely that demand would rise much above 35,000 per year, especially if a more robust minimum salary requirement and strong monitoring of compliance with employer obligations are re-introduced to minimise the risk of wage theft.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/business-innovation-and-investment-188" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Business innovation and investment</a>: 11,198</li> </ul> <p>The passive investment subset of these visas, which provides visas to people who make a financial investment for a set period of time, is essentially a “<a href="https://johnmenadue.com/abul-rizvi-business-migration-should-focus-on-establishing-businesses-not-passive-investment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">buy a visa</a>” scheme. It should be either abolished or modified to ensure active investment.</p> <p>I resisted establishment of the passive investment component until I left the department of immigration in 2007. Long-term, removing it would cut the number of business innovation and investment visas to around 5,000 per year.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/the-folly-of-the-global-talent-independent-visa,14617" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global talent independent</a> 9,584</li> </ul> <p>This visa is highly susceptible to cronyism and corruption and attracts few migrants who wouldn’t otherwise qualify for other more robust visa categories. It should either be abolished or pared back to a few hundred per year for highly exceptional candidates.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/immigration-update-australian-states-open-skilled-visa-nomination-programs-for-2021-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">State and government sponsored and regional</a> 27,853</li> </ul> <p>While the labour market is strong, there would be merit in increasing the allocation of places for these visas, as state governments are well placed to understand the needs of their jurisdictions. But it is unlikely they would be able to fill more than an additional 10,000 places per year, given the occupational targeting and employment criteria they have in place.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Skilled independent</a> 7,213</li> </ul> <p>Once again, while the labour market is strong, there is scope to increase the size of this category, but there are also risks that would need to be managed.</p> <p>As these migrants have no confirmed job and face a four year wait for access to social security, diluting criteria for this visa to increase the numbers would mean a rising portion would struggle to secure a skilled job.</p> <p>Those with options may leave to another country where job prospects are stronger. Others would be forced to take whatever job they can, including at exploitative wages.</p> <p>In my experience, increasing the size of this visa category to more than around 25,000 would involve substantial risks, especially if the labour market weakens once current stimulus measures are removed.</p> <h2>190,000 won’t be easy to deliver</h2> <p>In total, what I foresee gives us a skill stream of around 100,000. Together with a family stream of 60,000, that provides only enough to fill the existing program of 160,000 per year – not enough to increase it to the 190,000 proposed by Treasury or the 220,000 proposed by the <a href="https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/migration-boost-critical-to-recovery-business-council-20220217-p59xfc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Business Council of Australia</a>.</p> <p>Those proposing much higher levels of immigration need to demonstrate how they would be delivered and how the risks of what might be a weaker labour market would be managed.</p> <p>And they need to acknowledge that the size of the migration program doesn’t determine net migration. That’s in large measure determined by the economy and how many Australians and migrants decide to leave, decide to stay overseas, or decide to return.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ae1ef28e-7fff-389a-6f8f-8f6041e09f20">This article originally appeared on The Conversation.</span></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Restaurant in strife for accepting puppy pics instead of vaccination proof 

<p>A restaurant in Canada was ordered to temporarily cease its indoor dining services after it was discovered that customers were being allowed a seat after presenting cute dog photos instead of proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or negative test results, health officials said.</p><p>Alberta Health Services issued the closure order Friday after it investigated complaints about the Granary Kitchen in Red Deer.</p><p>Two investigators posing as customers visited the restaurant at different times after providing photos and personal identification to restaurant staff, the agency said in the order.</p><p>“In both instances, facility staff used a tablet to make it appear as if they were scanning a QR code, when in fact the staff member was presented with a photograph of a dog,” the agency said.</p><p>“The staff member then proceeded to ask the test shopper for personal identification and offered dine-in services.”<br />The restaurant was ordered to close its indoor dining area and submit a written COVID-19 compliance plan that follows the province’s indoor dining rules.</p><p>In a Facebook post Friday, the restaurant called the incident “an unfortunate circumstance at our front door which involved one of our underage hostesses”.</p><p>“We are taking the weekend to retrain and regroup,” the restaurant said.</p><p>“We look forward to serving you again as soon as we are ready to reopen.</p><p>"In closing we would like to remind everyone of the tremendous pressure being placed on front staff, and please remember to be kind.”</p><p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Food & Wine

Placeholder Content Image

Olivia Colman tears up during her acceptance speech as The Crown sweeps the Emmys

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Academy Award-winning actress Olivia Colman added another accolade to her trophy cabinet this weekend, as she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her performance of Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Crown.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Colman became emotional during her acceptance speech as she revealed she lost her father during the COVID-19 pandemic. She described winning the award as “a lovely end to the most extraordinary journey with this lovely family”, and went on to wrap up her acceptance speech by explaining why she was tearing up, saying, “I wish my dad was here to see this… I lost my daddy during Covid, and he would have loved all of this.”</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">OLIVIA COLMAN EMMY WINNER ❤️ SHE DESERVES THE WORLD <a href="https://t.co/cHOXEtW5GU">pic.twitter.com/cHOXEtW5GU</a></p> — véro // ✿ (@vlovesemma) <a href="https://twitter.com/vlovesemma/status/1439781746422206466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Crown </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">became the first drama series to win in every category it was nominated in this year (a feat </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Schitt’s Creek </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">achieved last year, and </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Angels in America </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">in 2004, for comedy and limited series, respectively). In addition to Colman’s win, the series was awarded Best Drama Series, Best Actor for Josh O’Connor, who played Prince Charles, Best Supporting Actress for Gillian Anderson, who played Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and Best Supporting Actor for Tobias Menzies, who played Prince Philip.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Colman is now the second actress to win the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series award for playing Queen Elizabeth II on </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Netflix’s </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Crown, following Claire Foy’s win in the category in 2018. Netflix won a total of 44 Emmys this year – 34 in Creative Arts and 10 in Primetime, 11 of which were for </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Crown</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, which won 7 Primetime Emmys and 4 Creative Arts Emmys.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Congratulations to the cast and crew of The Crown for 11 Emmy wins — including Best Drama Series, Best Actress for Olivia Colman, Best Actor for Josh O’Connor, Best Supporting Actress for Gillian Anderson and Best Supporting Actor for Tobias Menzies. <a href="https://t.co/FUNxPpzUU8">pic.twitter.com/FUNxPpzUU8</a></p> — The Crown (@TheCrownNetflix) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCrownNetflix/status/1439792832550563840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Colman has previously been nominated for both International and Primetime Emmys for her roles in </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Broadchurch, The Night Manager, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fleabag, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and was previously nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Crown </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">last year, but this is her first win. For her role as Queen Elizabeth II, she has also won a Golden Globe, a SAG Award, and a Satellite Award. Colman is also an Oscar winner, having received the Best Actress award for 2019’s </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Favourite, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">in which she played Queen Anne, who ruled Great Britain and Ireland from 1702-1714. </span></p>

TV

Placeholder Content Image

Prince Harry accepts apology over "baseless claims" in Mail article

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Prince Harry has accepted an apology and "substantial damages" from<span> </span><em>The Mail on Sunday</em><span> </span>and<span> </span><em>MailOnline's</em><span> </span>publisher after claims that he "snubbed" the Royal Marines after stepping down as a senior royal.</p> <p>Jenny Afia, representing Prince Harry, said: "The baseless, false and defamatory stories published in the<span> </span><em>Mail on Sunday</em><span> </span>and on the website<span> </span><em>MailOnline<span> </span></em>constituted not only a personal attack upon the Duke's character but also wrongly brought into question his service to this country."</p> <p>According to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://news.sky.com/story/prince-harry-accepts-apology-and-substantial-damages-over-baseless-claims-in-mail-article-12205233" target="_blank"><em>Sky News</em></a><em>,<span> </span></em>Prince Harry sued Associated Newspapers for libel over two "almost identical" articles that were published in October with the headline "top general accuses Harry of turning his back on the Royal Marines".</p> <p>The articles said that Prince Harry "not been in touch... since his last appearance as an honorary Marine in March".</p> <p>Harry's lawyers said in court documents that the paper "disregarded the claimant's reputation in its eagerness to publish a barely researched and one-sided article in pursuit of the imperative to sell newspapers and attract readers to its website".</p> <p>It has not been confirmed how much he was awarded in damages, but Prince Harry is donating the money to the Invictus Games Foundation, which runs the competition he set up in 2014 for injured, wounded or sick servicemen and servicewomen.</p> <p>His lawyer said this will allow him to "feel something good had come out of the situation".</p> <p>As Prince Harry served as an army officer for 10 years and holds a number of honorary military titles as a member of the Royal Family, royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills said that "any suggestion he has let them [military family] down since stepping away as a senior royal was always going to hit him [Prince Harry] hard."</p> <p>"This settlement is as much about showing his military brothers and sisters that he will still fight their corner, as it is another display of the Sussexes' ongoing personal battle against the UK tabloid press," she said.</p> </div> </div> </div>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

63-year-old mother accepts blame for deadly inferno at zoo

<p>A fire broke out in a zoo in Western Germany just minutes into the new year, killing more than 30 animals.</p> <p>A 60-year-old woman and her two adult daughters have turned themselves in after hearing that the blaze killed five orangutans, two gorillas and a chimpanzee as well as many more monkeys, birds and bats.</p> <p>The women bought five Chinese lanterns, which are banned locally and in most of Germany for over a decade. The trio believed that they were allowed on New Year’s Eve and had inscribed good wishes for the new year in the lanterns, according to chief investigator<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://10daily.com.au/news/world/a200102ezmoj/grandmother-turns-herself-in-after-new-years-zoo-tragedy-that-killed-30-animals-20200102" target="_blank">Gerd Hoppmann.</a></p> <p>Only two chimpanzees were able to be rescued from the flames by firefighters. They suffered burns but are in a stable condition.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6vevaBqXVp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6vevaBqXVp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Wir wünschen euch einen guten Rutsch in ein hoffentlich erfolgreiches Jahr 2020. Kommt gut 'rein und feiert fleißig! 🎉 Wir freuen uns auf ein tolles neues Jahr mit Euch! Euer Team vom #ZooKrefeld Fotos: Magnus Neuhaus #silvester #silvester2019 #jahresende #jahreswende #kommtgutrein #jahresübergang #orangutan #orangutans #orangutanborneo #wildlifephotography #zooborn #monkeys #monkey #primate #animal #animals #wild #wildlife #nature #naturelovers #zoophotography #zoo #zoolife #zoolove #zoolovers #zoozeit #krefeld #krefelderzoo</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/zookrefeld/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Zoo Krefeld</a> (@zookrefeld) on Dec 31, 2019 at 7:30am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"It's close to a miracle that Bally, a 40-year-old female chimpanzee, and Limbo, a younger male, survived this inferno," Mr Dressen said, adding that many of the zoo's animal handlers were in shock at the devastation.</p> <p>"We have to seriously work through the mourning process," Mr Dressen said. "This is an unfathomable tragedy."</p> <p>The Krefeld zoo opened in 1975 and attracts over 400,000 visitors each year.</p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

How Frozen II helps children weather risk and accept change

<p>Disney’s <em>Frozen</em> has been a staple in my house since before it won an <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/frozen-oscars_n_4887295">Academy Award for best animated feature in 2014</a>. Before my girls could even talk, they were humming along to the famous “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-zXT5bIBM0">Do You Want to Build a Snowman</a>?” song.</p> <p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294629/plotsummary"><em>Frozen</em></a> is about a fearless princess named Anna who journeys to find her sister, Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped their kingdom in eternal winter. Anna’s quest to save the kingdom comes to an abrupt halt when she is frozen in a heroic act to save Elsa from being killed by Hans, who wants to take over the kingdom.</p> <p>Now, <em>Frozen II</em> has broken box office records <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frozen-2-box-office-all-records-broken-1257703">for an animated film global opening</a> — and I’m not surprised. As a mom, I love that Anna and Elsa’s love for one another teaches my daughters to love each other and to take care of one another. And as an early childhood professional, I appreciate how the film <a href="https://www.tor.com/2016/06/23/fairy-tale-subversion-hans-christian-andersens-the-snow-queen/">reinterprets</a> and <a href="https://www.bustle.com/articles/38101-how-is-frozen-different-from-the-snow-queen-by-hans-christian-andersen-theyre-an-icy-world">retells</a> <a href="http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.act2080.0047.311">fairy tales</a> and myths to share powerful lessons about coping with change and taking risks.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eIw-dKqTtY0?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span class="caption">‘Frozen II’ trailer.</span></p> <h2>Lesson 1: Life is full of change</h2> <p><em>Frozen II</em> begins with Elsa and Anna’s quest to discover the truth about their kingdom’s past, and Elsa’s gradual discovery that her charged and sometimes dangerous magical powers have deep origins. Anna, meanwhile, seeks to hold onto the sisters’ powerful bond while finding her own identity.</p> <p>Olaf the snowman returns in this movie after being brought to life by Elsa in <em>Frozen</em>. No longer trapped in a perpetual ice world, the characters celebrate autumn. Olaf tells Anna about the difficulties he’s having. He observes changes in the season and anticipates change in the family with Anna and Kristoff’s engagement. He worries that “nothing is permanent.”</p> <p>Life is full of change. Children are constantly learning and growing, and are therefore experiencing large amounts of <a href="https://www.early-education.org.uk/sites/default/files/Helping%20children%20cope%20with%20change.pdf">change and transition each day</a>.</p> <p>Change can include simple things like a change in season, or an unfamiliar food served at lunch. But changes like moving schools, parents divorcing or a death in the family can have <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12243">profound effects on children</a>. Some children <a href="https://books.google.ca/books?id=30dIGIyRGf0C&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=how+children+adjust+to+change&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi0npXpj4bmAhUCnOAKHYz3AzIQ6AEIMDAB#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false">can adjust</a> easily to changes, but for many children, change is scary.</p> <p>Children who have a <a href="https://www.easternflorida.edu/community-resources/child-development-centers/parent-resource-library/documents/parenting-the-slow-to-warm-temperament.pdf">slow-to-warm-up temperament</a> may struggle with change more than easygoing children. Children who have difficulty with trust may experience change as traumatic. For children <a href="https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/behaviour/understanding-behaviour/changing-routines-asd">on the autism spectrum</a>, change, especially if it alters their predetermined structure, can be especially difficult.</p> <h2>How to assure children</h2> <p>Through Olaf’s discussion with Anna, he comes to understand that “growing up means adapting, puzzling at your world and your place.”</p> <p>In the face of Olaf’s sadness and unease about the unknown, Anna assures Olaf that it’s important to rely on the certainties: “Yes, the wind blows a little bit colder, and we’re all getting older,” but “some things stay the same.”</p> <p>She reassures him that as things change, there will always be people in your life who will support you.</p> <p><a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-1-4614-3661-4">Resilience is important for learning</a>, relationships and being able to handle difficult situations. Coping with change is a part of <a href="https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED386327">building resilience</a> and an essential skill for future success.</p> <p>You can help children adapt to change by talking about it. Have discussions about what’s changing and why. If the change is unexpected, share with them only what you know about the change. It’s OK to tell children: “I don’t know.”</p> <p>Have <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/02739615.2012.657040">routines</a> and consider transitions. When children know what comes first, then next and can predict some of what will happen, they are learning to think through situations and solve problems. Both these skills are important when managing the emotions that come with change.</p> <p>Accept <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2012.718037">children’s grief</a> through change, especially during significant situations like the death of a loved one or a divorce. It’s important to listen to their feelings and respond to their questions and worries.</p> <p>Give them choices and let them be a part of the change — this allows them to feel like they have control. With control comes acceptance. For example, if you’re moving to a new home, let your child help pick out the paint colours.</p> <h2>Lesson 2: Taking risks</h2> <p>Elsa and Anna’s comfort zone was their kingdom, Arendelle. As they embark on their journey into the enchanted forest to discover their family’s history, Olaf reminds us <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/203434/the-uses-of-enchantment-by-bruno-bettelheim/">that the enchanted forest</a> — where we step outside of our comfort zones while looking to trusted guides or companions — is a place of transformation.</p> <p>It’s important to take risks throughout life, but the uncertainty of taking risks can be scary. There is a feeling of unease associated with not knowing the outcome, as well as fear of potential failure.</p> <p>Elsa depicts this fear in her musical response to the enchanted forests’ calling for her. She sings:</p> <blockquote> <p>“I can hear you, but I won’t … There’s a thousand reasons I should go about my day and ignore your whispers, which I wish would go away.”</p> </blockquote> <p>Elsa takes a leap of faith, plunges into the unknown and finally embarks on an adventure to discover hidden truths. She finds a place where she can be herself, without fear of harming anything with her powers.</p> <p>Anna, meanwhile, becomes queen of Arendelle, a place where she no longer lives in her sister’s shadow — where she can shine.</p> <h2>How to support children’s risk taking</h2> <p>It’s important to allow children to participate in <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/6/6423/htm">risky play</a>. Risky play teaches children to regulate <a href="https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ985542">fear and anger</a>. They learn to manage and overcome obstacles.</p> <p>Sometimes the outcome of risk-taking in both childhood and adulthood is failure. <a href="https://thriveglobal.com/stories/why-it-s-important-to-let-your-kid-fail/">Failure</a>, as difficult as it is, is an important part of life and necessary for children to learn for future success. We should help our children to see failure as a stepping stone to discovering who they are.</p> <p>The forest howls and it’s scary. But with love and friendship, and having the courage to step into the unknown, in time princesses become queens, dangerous powers can become gifts — and snowmen can cope with autumn.<!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: http://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>Written by <span>Elena Merenda, Assistant Program Head of Early Childhood Studies, University of Guelph-Humber</span>. Republished with permission of </em><a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/frozen-ii-helps-children-weather-risk-and-accept-change-127845" target="_blank"><em>The Conversation</em></a><em>. </em></p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

5 best Oscar acceptance speeches

<p>We are revisiting the best Oscar acceptance speeches ever. When Meryl Streep won the Best Actress Oscar for <em>The Iron Lady</em> in 2012 she just made us love her more when she quipped; “When they called my name, I had this feeling I could hear half of America going, 'Oh no. Come on. . . Her, again?' You know. But, whatever." Which quote is your favourite?</p> <p><strong>1. James Cameron – 1997</strong></p> <p>“I don't know about you but I'm having a really great time. Every director that ever stood up here had his cast to thank, and I had a killer cast. They really threw down for me. So, Kate, Gloria, Leo, Kathy, Frances and Billy, Bill, Suzy, Lewis, and about eighty others, you guys gave me pure gold every day and I share this gold with you. Everybody else that I was going to thank either got an Oscar or a nomination so they're covered, except for my fellow producers Rae Sanchini and Jon Landau; Josh McLaglen; Rod Lurie; my brother Mike Cameron, who built the deep diving camera system. My lovely wife Linda, our two beautiful children, Dalton and Josephine. And my original producers, my parents, who are here tonight, Phillip and Shirley Cameron. Mom, Dad, there is no way that I can express to you what I'm feeling right now, my heart is full to bursting, except to say, ‘I'm the king of the world!’”</p> <p><strong>2. Roberto Benigni – 1999</strong></p> <p>“Thank you! This is a terrible mistake because I used up all my English. I don't know! I am not able to express all my gratitude, because now, my body is in tumult because it is a colossal moment of joy so everything is really in a way that I cannot express. I would like to be Jupiter! And kidnap everybody and lie down in the firmament making love to everybody, because I don't know how to express. It's a question of love. You are really -- this is a mountain of snow, so delicate, the suavity and the kindness, it is something I cannot forget, from the bottom of my heart. And thank you for the Academy Awards for the, who really loved the movie. Thank you to all in Italy, for the Italian cinema, grazie al Italia who made me. I am really, I owe to them all my, if I did something good. So grazie al Italia e grazie al America, land of the lot of things here. Thank you very much. And I hope, really I don't deserve this, but I hope to win some other Oscars! Thank you! Thank you very much! Thank you!”</p> <p><strong>3. Grace Kelly – 1955 </strong></p> <p>“The thrill of this moment keeps me from saying what I really feel. I can only say thank you with all my heart to all who made this possible for me. Thank you.”</p> <p><strong>4. Sandra Bullock – 2010 </strong></p> <p>“I would like to thank the Academy for allowing me in the last month to have the most incredible ride with rooms full of artists that I see tonight and that I’ve worked with before and I hope to work with in the future, who inspire me and blaze trails for us.”</p> <p><strong>5. Bob Hope – 1965 </strong></p> <p>“Welcome to the Academy Awards - or as it's known at my house, Passover and for the first time ever, you can actually see the losers turn green.”</p> <p><em>Republished with permission <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/entertainment/are-these-the-best-oscar-acceptance-speeches-ever/">Wyza</a>.</em></p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

Dame Twiggy! 60s icon accepts new title at Buckingham Palace

<p>53 years after Twiggy was named “the face of 1966” by UK newspaper The Daily Express, she has just been made a Dame of the British Empire.</p> <p>The 69-year-old was awarded the prestigious title by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Lesley Lawson – <a href="https://twitter.com/Twiggy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Twiggy</a> - was awarded a Damehood by The Prince of Wales.<br /><br />Model, Designer, Singer and Actress, Twiggy received her Honour for services to Fashion, to the Arts and to charity. <a href="https://t.co/rEMs8qk3NT">pic.twitter.com/rEMs8qk3NT</a></p> — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1106191580489232386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Twiggy was given the award on Thursday. She was dressed in a cream Stella McCartney silk ensemble and couldn’t contain her excitement about receiving the award. She was validated, as she was told it was “about time you got this, we’re all thrilled for you”.</p> <p>Twiggy was accompanied by her husband, Leigh Lawson, daughter Carly Witney and Lawson’s son Jason.</p> <p>In a formal statement about being made Dame, Twiggy was thrilled.</p> <p>‘’I’m a very proud Brit, I feel I’m an ambassador for Britain, I always have, because I think it’s the best country in the world.”</p> <p>“I travel the world all the time and I’m known throughout the world and, you know, being British is one of my things.”</p> <p>Twiggy went on to have a successful acting career after her modelling days came to an end.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Twiggy receiving the significant title.</p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

Fergie opens up about Meghan and Kate ‘feud’ in open letter: “It’s not acceptable”

<p>The Duchess of York has penned an open letter, saying that much of social media, such as Twitter and Instagram, “terrifies” her.</p> <p>Writing in <em><a href="https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/2019021167679/sarah-ferguson-online-bullying-hello-to-kindness-exclusive/">Hello!</a> </em>in support of their #HelloToKindness campaign, Sarah Ferguson, 59, explained:</p> <p>“We need to pay more attention than ever to what we're all being exposed to online. It's time to confront head on the fact that much of social media has become a sewer.</p> <p>“I'm on Twitter and Instagram, and I'm grateful for the fact that they allow me to communicate directly with people who are interested, promote my charitable causes and let people read my own words rather than someone else's slant on them.”</p> <p>She then goes onto say:</p> <p>“But the truth is, a lot about these sites terrifies me. I rarely if ever go 'below the line' on social media or news websites and read people's comments.”</p> <p>Fergie was not immune to media comparisons back in the day, with many people pitting her and Princess Diana against each other.</p> <p>“Women, in particular, are constantly pitted against and compared with each other in a way that reminds me of how people tried to portray Diana and I all the time as rivals, which is something neither of us ever really felt.</p> <p>“People feel licensed to say things online that they would never dream of saying to someone's face, and that encourages others to pile in. It's so ubiquitous that we've all become numb to what's going on.”</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820686/meghan-markle-kate-middleton.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c84b2dd301234839bf81377290f6eefa" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Duchess Meghan and Duchess Kate</em></p> <p>Fergie was previously married to Prince Andrew, and has said that the online harassment has to stop.</p> <p>“I believe that it’s time to take a stand. This isn’t about freedom of speech. The truth is, it’s not acceptable to post abuse or threats on social media or news sites, and it’s not acceptable to harangue other users simply because they disagree with you,” she wrote.</p> <p>“It’s not acceptable to pit women against one another all the time.”</p> <p>The letter and campaign from <em>Hello! </em>comes after reports that Kensington Palace staff have dedicated hours a day to monitoring negative and hateful comments on the Palace Instagram and Twitter pages about Duchess Kate and Duchess Meghan.</p>

Technology

Placeholder Content Image

Hugh Grant reveals the one film role he never should have accepted

<p>In terms of choosing the right movie roles, Hugh Grant has rarely put a foot wrong. First there was his breakout role in <em>Four Weddings and a Funeral</em>, then <em>Notting Hill</em>, <em>Bridget Jones’s Diary</em> and so many more box office hits. But there’s one role he never should’ve accepted.</p> <p>Speaking at the BAFTA Life In Pictures event over the weekend, the 57-year-old said he was inundated with scripts after the success of <em>Four Weddings</em>, only to say yes to the wrong role. </p> <p>“I horrified my scary new LA agents by turning everything down and then finally made an appalling choice,” he confessed.</p> <p>That film was <em>Nine Months</em>, a commercial success but critical failure despite a star-studded cast including Julianne Moore, Tom Arnold, Joan Cusack, Jeff Goldblum and Robin Williams. Grant described the making of the movie as “a horrid experience”.</p> <p>“I made the wrong film with very good people,” he said. “I overacted grotesquely.”</p> <p>During the candid chat, Grant also reflected on the surprise success of <em>Four Weddings</em>, which he initially hated after seeing the first cut.</p> <p>“Rowan [Atkinson] was funny, the rest of it was just awful and I had to be helped sobbing back onto the set,” he revealed. “Then they had a screening in Santa Monica and suddenly everyone loved it. It was a total surprise to everyone.”</p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

The free tickets you should never accept when travelling

<p>When you travel you have the opportunity to enrich and educate yourself. From immersing yourself in another country’s culture, to seeing historical landmarks before your own eyes, you will be left with experiences that are priceless.</p> <p>Unfortunately, however, con artists try to prey upon unsuspecting tourists while they are wrapped in their holiday fantasy.</p> <p>Here are the scams you need to be aware of.</p> <p><strong>1. “Free” comedy</strong></p> <p>If you are offered free comedy tickets, unfortunately, the offer is too good to be true. The tickets might let you in the venue for free, but generally a mandatory two-drink minimum is the norm. Secondly, these venues are rarely funny and though they may advertise a celebrity’s name on their venue, it is highly unlikely they will be there.</p> <p><strong>2. Pedicabs</strong></p> <p>Pedicabs, popular in America and Asia, allow for a tourist to get driven around by a driver on a bicycle. The issue for tourists revolves around the unclear rates and whether there are extra fees. In New York, pedicabs are required to post clear signs indicating the per minute charge. However, enforcement isn’t always great so be sure to clarify the price with the driver before hopping in.</p> <p><strong>3. The “Buddhist” monks</strong></p> <p>In western travel hotspots, there is a new trend of residents dressing up as monks and asking for money for charitable causes. For those who can’t differentiate between real monks and impersonators, the fake ones have been known to offer medallions in exchange for money. A good tip if you are unsure of their authenticity, is to see if locals are bypassing these monks. If they are being ignored by locals, they are probably not real. The fake monks also tend to congregate around popular landmarks.</p> <p><strong>4. Fake subway tickets</strong></p> <p>In some cities around the world, men and women will offer subway swipes for a set price. It is best to always buy your public transport fares from genuine agents or machines, even if someone else is selling one for “cheaper”.</p> <p><strong>5. Costumed characters</strong></p> <p>If you are in a major city and there is someone dressed up in costume as a famous character, don’t expect to get a photo with them for free. In New York and Los Angeles, these people are notorious for demanding ridiculous sums of money for posing in photos.</p> <p>Have you ever been tricked by any of these things while you were on holidays? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

5 actors who were too afraid to accept iconic movie roles

<p>There are various reasons why actors have shied away from accepting iconic roles whether that be due to the scariness of a script or fear or rejection from the industry and fans. Here are five actors who passed on famous movie roles.</p> <p><strong>1. Michelle Pfeiffer – Clarice Starling in <em>Silence of the Lambs</em></strong></p> <p>Michelle passed on the role in this thriller because she was overwhelmed by the darkness and violence in the script. The director of the film, Jonathan Demme, had worked with Michelle previously and was disappointed as she was his first pick for the role. He went through a number of other actresses before selecting Jodie Foster for the role.</p> <p><strong>2. Jeremy Irons – Dr Hannibal Lecter in <em>Silence of the Lambs</em></strong></p> <p>Jeremy also turned down the opportunity to work on <em>Silence of the Lambs</em> as Dr Hannibal due to the dark plot and because he was involved in other projects as a villain. He told the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/7429531/Jeremy-Irons-interview.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Daily Telegraph</span></strong></a>, “I like doing edgy things, but at the time I had just done Dead Ringers was about to star in Reversal of Fortune. I thought I just can’t do it; I’m already too far down this road.’”</p> <p><strong>3. Bette Midler – Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence in<em> Sister Act</em></strong></p> <p>The role made famous by Whoopi Goldberg was originally lined up for Bette Midler. She explained she turned down the role because she believed fans wouldn’t want to see her portray a nun. When talking about her career regrets Bette told <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2010/08/04/cats-dogs-bette-midler-lindsay-lohan-has-gone-off-the-deep-end-469274/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Metro</span></strong></a>, “There was <em>Sister Act</em>, which was written for me, but I said: ‘My fans don’t want to see me in a wimple.’ I don’t know where I got that from. Why would I say such a thing?”</p> <p><strong>4. Denzel Washington – Detective David Mills in<em> Se7en</em></strong></p> <p>Denzel Washington is an internationally renowned actor and has won two Oscars. When talking with <a href="http://www.gq.com/story/denzel-washington-interview-gq-october-2012" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GQ</span></strong></a> the star explained that he regrets not working on David Fincher’s <em>Se7en</em> which is about a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as inspiration for his murders. The star turned down the role due to the dark nature of the plot.</p> <p><strong>5. John Lithgow – Seth Brundle in <em>The Fly</em></strong></p> <p>John’s agent wanted him to play Brundle but the star did not want to play the monster who morphs into a man-sized fly. John told <a href="http://www.indiewire.com/2014/05/john-lithgow-says-he-turned-down-david-cronenbergs-the-fly-because-it-was-icky-and-grotesque-86380/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">In Magazine</span> </strong></a>that he found the movie to be an “icky story” and that “he didn’t want to play something so grotesque”.</p> <p>Can you imagine these actors starring in these roles? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Movies